Why Is It So Hard to Divorce Your Toxic Biological Family?

The decision to separate from a toxic family can be fraught with guilt, emotional conflict, and societal expectations, making it one of the most emotionally taxing choices.

Phrases like 'blood is thicker than water' suggest that loyalty to family members is a moral obligation, regardless of how toxic those relationships may be.

Toxic family members often use guilt as a means of control, leading to emotional manipulation that complicates the dynamics of setting boundaries or walking away.

Many people in toxic families feel a deep sense of responsibility to 'fix' things, carrying the emotional burden rooted in dysfunctional early attachment bonds.

Read at Psychology Today